SPRINGFIELD – Illinois eliminated unnecessary barriers to health care by banning prior authorization for outpatient mental health services on Jan. 1, thanks to State Senator Laura Fine.

“Like physical health care, mental health care is a critical component to overall well-being and it is time we ensure everyone has access to the treatment they need,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new law breaks down unnecessary barriers to mental health care services by making it more affordable and accessible for all Illinoisans.”

The Healthcare Protection Act, signed into law in July 2024, made health care more accessible and affordable for Illinoisans. The law banned step therapy requirements, prohibited prior authorization for inpatient mental health care at hospitals, banned junk insurance plans, and ended unchecked rate increases for large group insurance companies.

SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage expanded for emergency neonatal intensive care on Jan. 1, thanks to State Senator Laura Fine.

“Newborns deserve immediate care in the first critical hours of life and parents deserve peace of mind to know the services are covered,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This new law ensures no family is denied life-saving treatment for their child.”

Neonatal care for premature or critically ill newborns often requires specialized treatments that might not be covered by a patient’s health insurance network. Under Fine’s law, private insurers are required to cover emergency neonatal care, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of the patient’s network. This ensures families are not billed for greater out-of-pocket costs than they would have incurred with an in-network provider.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to protect community based foster care agencies from the increasing costs and the decreasing availability of liability insurance, State Senator Laura Fine passed legislation to analyze the current foster care liability insurance landscape in Illinois.

“Foster care and adoption services must maintain liability coverage to operate in the state,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Without sustainable insurance options, these foster agencies are at risk of shutting down altogether.”

 Agencies are required to carry liability insurance to protect the 13,000 children in their care.  Many carriers are no longer offering this line of insurance, and only two carriers offer liability insurance for foster care providers in the state. This has resulted in higher costs and limited coverage.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine has introduced Senate Bill 2712, comprehensive legislation to protect access to essential services and strengthen privacy when federal immigration enforcement occurs at schools, hospitals, or in local communities across Illinois.

“Making sure that people feel safe in our communities, schools, and hospitals is our responsibility as lawmakers in Illinois,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This bill gives teachers, essential healthcare workers, and law enforcement the tools to do their jobs while keeping our neighborhoods safe from fear-based enforcement and federal overreach."

This legislation includes several key provisions: